Lee County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)
The pass at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor on Florida's Gulf coast — the "Tarpon Capital of the World," where hundreds of giant tarpon stage each spring, alongside a strong inshore fishery for redfish, spotted seatrout, and black drum on the surrounding flats. Live tide and water temperature from the Fort Myers station.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout & Black Drum — tied at the top (72/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:03 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 9:23 AM | High | 0.7 ft |
| 1:23 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:12 PM | High | 1.4 ft |
Species at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Great day to fish for Red Drum. In season 72/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside red drum's active range
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 1
18–27" slot, 1/person/day (vessel limits vary by region; catch-and-release only in the Indian River Lagoon). Harvest prohibited in federal waters.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Great day to fish for Spotted Seatrout. In season 72/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 19"
- Daily creel
- 3
15–19" slot (one fish over 19" per vessel allowed); bag is 2–5/day depending on FWC management zone, with seasonal closures in some zones. Confirm your zone.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Black Drum Great day to fish for Black Drum. In season 72/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside black drum's active range
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 5
Florida: 14–24" slot, 5/harvester/day; one over 24" allowed within the bag.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Gulf of Mexico
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Florida
Coordinates
Notes
FL: the spring tarpon run is the marquee draw (catch-and-release; a tarpon tag is required to possess one). Redfish and seatrout per the FL Gulf-zone slots.
Local reports & rules for Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor): Florida FWC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)?
Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) have?
Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. FL: the spring tarpon run is the marquee draw (catch-and-release; a tarpon tag is required to possess one). Redfish and seatrout per the FL Gulf-zone slots.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor)?
state agency regulations apply at Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) tidal water?
Yes. Boca Grande (Charlotte Harbor) sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.